The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-01-26

/ AHaS uaf IUtiOVeu uay, ana AT Ie0gt1
the suspense, which became terrible tC
bear, was relieved: Myra's retreat al
New Castle was made known TO Mr. d
1t seems a matter of astonishment that
| high-minded and strong men should SC
| often become dupes and victims 10 per-
sons every way inferior, intellectually
| and morally; but when we reflect that
the wise and generous are not only in
| capable of the low cunning and low mo-
tives which belong to the low of heart
and mind, we can not marvel so much
that they are incapable also of believing
in the existence of these things, and
thus from an unbelief in evil, leave
themselves unguarded TO the insidious
meanness they can not recognize as a
portion of humanity.
| We have said, that in the house of
| Mr.. ID. there was a relative and guest,
to whom the departure of Myra from
her home opened hopes of influence aud
ultimate gain, which were strong enough
| TO arouse all the cupidity of his ma
| ture.
This man had, with insidious meek.
ness, terminated the disquiet of the
household, and with his soft words and
| silky manner, poured oil on the wrath
of Mr.. D., when he saw it yielding to
the generous dictates of affection.
He had excited the fears which drove
Myra from her home, through the soft
| duplicity of his wife, and now it was
his great desire to prevent an interview
or the least chance of reconciliation
between the young girl and her parents
This man had found little difficulty in
| tracing Myra from the first, but his
| knowledge was kept secret until he
| found that Mr.. d. was certain to hear of
| her movements from other sources; then
| he openly claimed the merit of great ex
ertions in finding out her place of shell
| ter and volunteered, with the most dis
interested air imaginable, his influence
in persuading the young girl to return
| home.
Glad to save himself the humiliation
| and pain of entreaties, from which his
proud nature revolted, Mr.. ID. was we'll
pleased to accept the friendly offer, and
it was this mans arrival at New Castle,
that startled Myra from the little repose
she had been enabled TO obtain.
Mr.. ID. had authorized his messenger
to induce Myra's return by gentle per
suasion, by frank and generous promises
| that all should be forgiven, all forgotten.
He made no stipulation, no reserve. All
that he desired was the love and conf
dence of his child.
To this was added many an affection
ate message from the mother, whom
Myra loved so fondly, and these were
more than enough to have won the
warm hearted girl back to the bosom of
her family.
Mvro ,,,a- 10
DIS message faithfully, even the caress-
ing words of Mrs. ID. were not withheld
but when he saw tears swell up and fill
the fine eyes which Myra turned upon
him as he gave the message-when ne
saw gush of passionate tenderness
| sweep across her face, the man changed
gradually in his manner.
His eye, his downcast look, the COM
preston of his mouth, all told that
something had been kept back. He
seemed struggling with himself, and
Myra saw that all was not as it should
be. The young girl had no doubt of
this mans sincerity-she had always
believed him to be her friend.
How then was she to reconcile this
restless manner, this sort of caution that
cleaned in his eyes and spoke in every
feature of his face, with the frank mes
sage of which he was the bearer?
After much anxious questioning the
man consented to speak, but it was only
out of the deepest and most self-sacri-
ficing friendship to her. 1t was periling
the favor of Mr.. ID. forever, but still he
could speak. He would not urge a
creature so young and lovely to rush
blindfolded into the power of a man ex-
asperated as Mr.. ID. was against her.
True, all these promises had been
sent; but in reality, the hate of her
father had only been aggravated against
Mr.. Whitney by her fight. Mr.. ID. was
implacable as ever, and instead of re-
| ceiving his child with kindness, his sole
desire was to win her by false protesta
tions into his power again, and then
punish her with all his naughty
strength.
All this was repeated with the most
perfect appearance of sincerity. The
truth seemed to have been wrested from
| this mans heart, onlS by the solemn
| obligations of friendship. Myra was
very grateful for this friendly warning,
| and the traitor left her strengthene ed in
her purpose, but with an aching and
| desolate heart.
Not an hour after this interview, Mr..
Whitney arrived at New Castle Various
reasons for delay had kept him behind
his appointment, but Myra's agent had
| been vigilant, and her note reached him
as he left the boat. He came directly
to the residence of her friend, ignorant
of all that had transpired to drive Myra
| from the protection of her own home.
1 IT, ~. 4I. 81
gay, blooming and brilliant, with joyou:
anticipations-she met him now pale
and dropping, her eyes heavy with tears
her form swayed by the weight of hel
| grief, like the stalk of a flower on which
the dew has fallen too heavily.
"And now" he said, when she had
told him all, "there is but one course
| for us to pursue, and that, think Heaven
is one to secure our happiness. This
man is not your father, and has no lega
| authority over you. | will not speak oil
his injustice to me-of his harshness tc
you-for in former years | know that be
he has been kind"
Myra's eyes filled with grateful tears
There was something in this gentle for
bearance that touched her deeply.
"Let US be united now, Myra; no on,
has authority over your. | am, in al
things, independent
1t was hard to resist that pleading
voice, those eyes so full of hopeful ten
derness, but Myra drew away her hant
with an air of gentle dignity, and
painful smile parted her lips.
| "No," she said, "no; | am here of IA,
own will, unsolicited, unexpected. /
must not be said that your wife raj
away from her fathers roof only to b
married"
| The proud delicacy with which thi
was spoken-so earnest in its simplicit,
left no room for a doubt. Mr.. Whit
) ney did not plead with her, thougl
greatly disappointed; he merely too
her hand, with smile, and said:
"But this seems like rejecting me a
together. Surely there is too much G
pride here. Would you, suffer thus t
: save life, and then render that lif
valueless, Myrag'
The color came and went upon Myra
7 pale cheek. Now that he was by be
: side, her hand in ais, those eyes upo
, her face, the poor girl felt how imposs
! bic it was TO part from him forever.
81 have friends relatives in the Wes
Indies" she said; "let me q to then
Come to me there, with the frank an
e full consent of your parents to OF
: union, and / will be your wife,
"No, not there, not so far. In Phil.
e delphia-let me place you under I'll
! protection of your friends there. / wi
visit my parents-their presence an
e full consent shall sanction our marriag
4 Will not this arrangement satisfy eve
your delicacy, belovedf'
: Again the warm rose tinge came an
e went on Myra's cheek, and the tea